564
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

G. F. BOWEN, Governor.

VICTORIA, by the Grace of God, of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen,
Defender of the Faith, and so forth:

To Our Trusty and Loving Subjects, James
Hector, Theodore Minet Haultain, and
John Kebbell, Esquires.

WHEREAS the House of Representatives did, on
the tenth day of September, one thousand
eight hundred and seventy, adopt certain Resolu-
tions, which were as follows:-

"1st. That a Commission be appointed consisting of
three members resident in New Zealand, such Com-
mission to have power to appoint one or two Agents
in England to be in correspondence with the Com-
mission, and generally to carry out their instruc-
tions.

"2nd. That the duty of the Commission shall be-

"(1.) To visit the chief districts in the Colony
where Flax fibre is prepared. To institute or
to assist mechanical experiments on New Zea-
land Flax, with a view to cheapen the cost of
manufacture and to improve the quality of the
fibre produced. To collect samples of all
kinds of fibre produced in quantity and by
processes not precluded by their expense from
being generally adopted; and to carefully
collate full particulars as to the variety of the
plant from which the fibre has been prepared,
and the process of dressing, including Maori-
dressed Flax.

"(2.) To send a portion of the samples so col-
lected to the Agents before mentioned, with a
view to their obtaining from the best authori-
ties a report on the microscopic structure and
chemical composition of the New Zealand
Flax leaf and fibre as compared with Irish
Flax, Russian and Manilla Hemp.

"(3.) To ascertain if possible the reason why
Manilla Hemp made into rope resists the
action of sea water better than the Phormium
tenax.

"(4.) The relative capacity of the New Zealand
Flax fibre and Russian Hemp to absorb tar.

"3rd. That the Agents shall act under the instruc-
tions of the Commission, not only with regard to the
above named points, but shall also ascertain-

"(1.) The market value of the fibre, and the rea-
son for the different prices obtained.

"(2.) To place in the hands of manufacturers
supplies of the various kinds of Flax fibre, with
the view of ascertaining by practical tests to
what purposes it can be profitably applied.

"(3.) To procure samples (say two or three hun-
dredweight each) of the various fibres that
compete in the English market with the
Phormium tenax, viz., Russian, Manilla, and
Italian Hemp, Jute, and Irish Flax, so as
to afford information to New Zealand Flax-
dressers as to the quality of fibre which it is
desirable should be produced by them.

"(4.) To submit to makers of Flax Machines in
the mother country samples of our prepared
Flax, and invite suggestions as to the im-
provements of the machines usually employed
in the Colony.

"(5.) Generally, to ascertain what can be done
to extend the use and increase the market
value of the Flax fibre.

"4th. That properly qualified officers (if possible in
connection with the Customs) should be appointed at
each Port, who, on application by shippers, should
sample the various bales, and place an official brand
thereon, showing its quality as compared with
standard samples issued to them by the Commission;
such classification to be similar to the manner in
which foreign-grown Hemp or Flax is classified, viz.,
first, second, and third qualities:"

Now know ye that We, reposing especial trust and
confidence in your knowledge and ability, have
authorized and appointed, and do by these presents
authorize and appoint, you the said

JAMES HECTOR,
THEODORE MINET HAULTAIN, and
JOHN KEBBELL,

to be, during pleasure, Our Commissioners for the
purposes hereinafter mentioned, with power to ap-
point one or two Agents in England, as you may
think fit, to be in correspondence with you, and
generally to carry out your instructions. And it is
Our will and pleasure that you should do and per-
form the following acts, functions, and duties:--

(1.) To visit the chief districts in the Colony
where Flax fibre is prepared. To institute or
to assist mechanical experiments on New Zea-
land Flax, with a view to cheapen the cost of
manufacture and to improve the quality of the
fibre produced. To collect samples of all
kinds of fibre produced in quantity and by
processes not precluded by their expense from
being generally adopted; and to carefully
collate full particulars as to the variety of the
plant from which the fibre has been prepared,
and the process of dressing, including Maori-
dressed Flax.

(2.) To send a portion of the samples so collected
to the Agents before mentioned, with a view
to their obtaining from the best authorities
a report on the microscopic structure and
chemical composition of the New Zealand
Flax leaf and fibre as compared with Irish
Flax, Russian and Manilla Hemp.

(3.) To ascertain if possible the reason why
Manilla Hemp made into rope resists the
action of sea water better than the Phormium
tenax.

(4.) The relative capacity of the New Zealand
Flax fibre and Russian Hemp to absorb tar.

And it is Our further will and pleasure that you
issue to the Collector or other Chief Officer of Cus-
toms at such ports or places as you may think
necessary standard samples of Flax, such standards
to be of classes similar to those into which foreign-
grown Hemp is divided, that is to say, first, second,
and third classes:

And it is Our further will and pleasure that the
said Agents shall act under your instructions, not
only with regard to the above named points, but
shall also ascertain-

(1.) The market value of the fibre, and the rea-
son for the different prices obtained.

(2.) To place in the hands of manufacturers
supplies of the various kinds of Flax fibre, with
the view of ascertaining by practical tests to
what purposes it can be profitably applied.

(3.) To procure samples (say two or three hun-
dredweight each) of the various fibres that
compete in the English market with the
Phormium tenax, viz., Russian, Manilla, and
Italian Hemp, Jute, and Irish Flax, so as
to afford information to New Zealand Flax-
dressers as to the quality of fibre which it is
desirable should be produced by them.

(4.) To submit to makers of Flax Machines in
the mother country samples of our prepared
Flax, and invite suggestions as to the im-
provements of the machines usually employed
in the Colony.

(5.) Generally, to ascertain what can be done to
extend the use and increase the market value
of the Flax fibre.